Ryde show their class to close in on title

The Sports Desk

Masterclass display sees Warsash defeat Castle

Ryde Mead won the battle of the top two teams in Portsmouth & District League ladies’ division one.

They saw off Avenue 3-1, meaning Lee are now their only remaining rivals for the title.

In ladies’ two, Ryde Lawn 2 made it five wins in succession as they beat Warsash.

Claire Ryan and Jan Grant, the first pair for Warsash, put up stubborn resistance.

They took a set off Jenny Boswell and Suree Russell but couldn’t hold on to prevent Lawn taking all four rubbers and setting themselves up as title favourites.

Ventnor’s 3-1 victory over Avenue 3 ensured that ladies’ three remains highly competitive, with five of the seven team separated by just two points.

In mixed division two, Ventnor clocked up another victory, although Seacourt’s first pair, Lou Green and Hugh Latham, managed to win a rubber – something that none of Ventnor’s previous four opponents had done.

Avenue 2 are making a late run for promotion, having secured a good 3-1 win away to Ryde Lawn 3.

Phil Broad and Heather Halliday were the stars of the Avenue’s show, winning both their rubbers for the loss of just eight games in all.